Open lumen stent

ABSTRACT

A stent according to an embodiment of the invention includes an elongate body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The elongate body defines a lumen and an opening in communication with the lumen between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion configured to enable the flow of fluid therethrough. The lumen is configured to have a diameter wherein the opening has a width greater than half the size of the diameter and less than the diameter of the lumen. The opening has a length at least twice the width of opening. In some embodiments, the opening is configured to laterally receive a guidewire therethrough. The elongate body can be configured to releasably couple the guidewire within the lumen of the elongate body such that the elongate body can be slidably moved along the guidewire.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/917,799, entitled “Open Lumen Stent,” filed May 14, 2007, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a medical device and more particularly to anopen lumen ureteral stent having reduced mass.

Known ureteral stents are typically placed within a urinary tract of apatient to, for example, assist with urinary flow from the kidney to thebladder, or help support a damaged or weakened ureter. Typically, suchstents are longitudinally backloaded onto a guidewire to enableinsertion and placement of the stent. Backloading of a stent onto aguidewire can require significant time and effort by the physician.Additionally, known ureteral stents often cause discomfort to thepatient once the ureteral stents are positioned within the body due tothe size and mass of the stent. Some ureteral stents include one or moreretention members that further add to the mass of the stent. Suchretention members can be positioned within a ureter, bladder and/orkidney of a patient to help retain the ureteral stent in place withinthe urinary tract of the patient. The large mass of some retentionmembers may not easily conform to the bladder when the bladder isemptied or collapsed, which can result in patient discomfort. Furtherdiscomfort can also result when the ureteral stent is removed from apatient due to the size and configuration of the stent and/or retentionmember.

Thus, a need exists for a ureteral stent having reduced mass that issufficiently strong to allow urinary flow therethrough. There is also aneed for a stent that can laterally receive a guidewire through anopening in the stent to assist in placement of the stent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A stent according to an embodiment of the invention includes an elongatebody having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. Theelongate body defines a lumen and an opening in communication with thelumen between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. Thelumen is configured to enable the flow of fluid therethrough. Theopening has a width greater than half the size of a diameter of thelumen and less than the diameter of the lumen. The opening also has alength at least twice the width of the opening. In some embodiments, theopening is configured to laterally receive a guidewire therethrough. Theelongate body can be configured to releasably couple the guidewirewithin the lumen of the elongate body such that the elongate body can beslidably moved along the guidewire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a medical device according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a medical device according to an embodiment ofthe invention shown positioned within a urinary tract.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a distal end portion of the medicaldevice of FIG. 2 shown in a straightened configuration.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 2 shownwith a guidewire being disposed through an opening of the medicaldevice.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a portion of the medical device ofFIG. 2 shown with a guidewire disposed within a lumen of the medicaldevice.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a medical device according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 7, takenalong the line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 7, takenalong the line 9-9 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a medical device according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11-13 are cross-sectional views of various embodiments of amedical device according to the invention.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of a portion of a pusher deviceaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of a pusher device according toanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The medical devices described herein can be inserted into a body lumenof a patient, such as, for example, a urinary tract. For example, amedical device can be configured as a urinary stent that defines a lumento enable the flow of urine therethrough. A medical device according toan embodiment of the invention can define a lumen and an opening incommunication with the lumen. The opening can be defined between aproximal end and distal end of the medical device, and in someembodiments can extend the entire length of the medical device. In suchan embodiment, the opening can laterally receive a guidewiretherethrough. The medical devices described herein can provide a stentthat has reduced mass and increased patient comfort. In someembodiments, an opening defined by the medical device extends throughretention members disposed at ends of the medical device, which providesmore flexibility of the retention members and further reduces the massof the device.

In one embodiment, a stent includes an elongate body having a proximalend portion and a distal end portion. The elongate body defines a lumenand an opening in communication with the lumen between the proximal endportion and distal end portion allowing fluid flow therethrough. Theopening has a width greater than half the size of a diameter of thelumen and less than the diameter of the lumen. The opening also has alength at least twice the width of the opening. In another embodiment, aureteral stent includes an opening that extends from a proximal end to adistal end of the elongate body. The opening is configured to laterallyreceive a guidewire therethrough. The elongate body is configured toreleasably couple the guidewire within a lumen of the elongate body suchthat the elongate body can be slidably moved along the guidewire.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a medical device according to anembodiment of the invention. A ureteral stent 100 (also referred toherein as “stent”) can be placed or otherwise inserted into a body lumenof a patient (not shown in FIG. 1), such as a urinary tract. The stent100 can extend, for example, from a kidney to a bladder, or from alocation in a ureter to a bladder, or from a kidney to a location in aureter. The stent 100 can be implanted into the urinary tract of thepatient by inserting the stent 100 into the patient transuretherally.Alternatively, the ureteral stent 100 can be implanted into the urinarytract of the patient transdermally or percutaneously, such as throughthe kidney of a patient.

The stent 100 includes an elongate body 102 having a proximal endportion 104 and a distal end portion 106 and defines a lumen (not shownin FIG. 1) between the proximal end portion 104 and the distal endportion 106. The elongate body 102 also defines at least one opening 108in communication with the lumen. The opening 108 is disposed along awall of the elongate body 102 between the proximal end portion 104 andthe distal end portion 106 of the elongate body 102. The elongate body102 can also define openings (not shown) on a distal end and a proximalend of the elongate body 102. The lumen works in conjunction with theopening 108 to permit fluid flow, such as urine, through the stent 100when the stent is disposed, for example, within a urinary tract of apatient. The lumen can be a variety of different shapes and sizes. Forexample, the lumen can have a cross-sectional shape that issubstantially circular, rectangular, square, triangular, etc.

The opening 108 can extend along a portion of the elongate body 102 orextend from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongate body 102.In some embodiments, where there are more than one openings 108, theopenings 108 can be defined at spaced locations along a length of theelongate body 102. In some embodiments, the opening 108 can have a widthgreater than a radius of the lumen, but less than a diameter of thelumen. The opening 108 can also have a length at least twice its width.

The opening(s) 108 reduce the overall mass of the stent 100 to provideimproved patient comfort and facilitate fluid flow through the stent100. In some embodiments, where the opening 108 extends the entirelength of the elongate body 102 (e.g., from the proximal end to thedistal end), a guidewire 116 can be laterally received through theopening 108 and releasably coupled within the lumen of the elongate body102. For example, the portions of the elongate body 102 bounding theopening 108 can flex to allow the insertion of the guidewire 116therethrough. Once the guidewire 116 is disposed within the lumen of thestent 100, the portions of the elongate body 102 bounding the opening108 return to a non-flexed configuration and retain the guidewire 116within the lumen of the elongate body 102. The elongate body 102 canslidably move along the guidewire 116 to be placed into a desiredposition within a body lumen of a patient, such as within a urinarytract of the patient via a pusher device 114. Alternatively, the stent100 may be backloaded onto the guidewire 116 longitudinally and directedinto the desired position within the urinary tract of the patient viathe pusher device 114. After placement of the stent 100, the guidewire116 can be removed from the patient. The pusher 114 can be removed fromthe guidewire 116 either before or after removing the guidewire 116 fromthe patient.

The stent 100 can also include one or more retention members configuredto retain or anchor the stent 100 within a body lumen of a patient, suchas within a urinary tract. A retention member 110 can be disposed at theproximal end portion 104 and/or a retention member 112 can be disposedat the distal end portion 106. The retention members 110 can be used,for example, to help retain the stent 100 within a bladder or ureter ofa patient, and the retention member 112 can be used, for example, tohelp retain the stent 100 within a kidney, or ureter of the patient. Theretention members 110 and 112 can be coupled to, or formed integrallywith the elongate body 102. The retention members 110 and 112 can have across-section substantially the same as, or different from the elongatebody 102 and the same as or different than each other. The retentionmembers 110 and 112 can have a variety of different shapes, sizes andconfigurations including for example, J-shaped, coiled orpigtail-shaped, or any other known configuration for retention of astent within a body lumen. The retention members 110, 112 can also beexpandable, for example, when exposed to fluid within a body lumen.

The elongate body 102 can have a variety of different cross-sectionalprofiles, and can have different cross-sectional configurations atdifferent locations along a length of the elongate body 102. Theelongate body 102 can also define one or more channels (not shown inFIG. 1) disposed along an outer surface of the elongate body 102 tofurther reduce the mass of the stent and thereby further increasepatient comfort. The channels can also increase the amount of fluid flowthrough the stent 100. The channels can extend from the proximal end tothe distal end of the elongate body 102. In some embodiments, thechannels may only extend along a portion of the elongate body 102.

As stated above, the pusher device 114 (also referred to herein as“pusher”) can be used to insert the stent 100 within a body lumen of apatient. The pusher 114 can have a similar configuration as the stent100. For example, the pusher device 114 can include an elongate bodythat defines a lumen (not shown in FIG. 1) and an opening (not shown inFIG. 1) in communication with the lumen along a longitudinal length ofthe pusher device, as will be described in more detail below. Like thestent 100, the opening defined by the pusher 114 can have a widthgreater than a radius of the lumen, but less than a diameter of thelumen. The opening of the pusher 114 can also have a length extendingfrom a proximal end to a distal end of the pusher 114. The pusher 114can be configured to retain a guidewire within a lumen of the pusher114. In some embodiments, the pusher device 114 includes one or more tabportions located at spaced locations along the length of the pusher 114that can retain a guidewire within the lumen of the pusher 114. Forexample, the pusher 114 can include a tab portion at a distal end, amiddle portion, and a proximal end. The tab portions can retain theguidewire within the lumen of the pusher 114 as will be described inmore detail below. As discussed above, the pusher 114 can slidably movealong a guidewire to place the stent 100 into a desired position withinthe urinary tract of the patient.

Having described above various general principles, several exemplaryembodiments of these concepts are now described. These embodiments areonly examples, and many other configurations of a medical device and itsvarious components are contemplated by the principles of the invention,and will be apparent to the artisan in view of the general principlesdescribed above and the exemplary embodiments. In addition, variousother methods and medical procedures can be performed using the medicaldevices described herein.

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate a medical device according to an embodiment of theinvention. A stent 200 includes an elongate body 202 having a proximalend portion 204, a distal end portion 206 and defines a lumen 218between the proximal end portion 204 and the distal end portion 206. Theelongate body 202 also defines an opening 208 in communication with thelumen 218. In this embodiment, the lumen 218 is substantially circular,however, it should be understood that the lumen can be any of a varietyof different shapes and configurations, including for example, square,triangular, oval, etc.

The stent 200 also includes a retention member 210 associated with theproximal end portion 204, and a retention member 212 associated with thedistal end portion 206. The retention members 210 and 212 aresubstantially J-shaped, but other configurations can alternatively beused. In this embodiment, the retention members 210, 212 are formedintegral with the elongate body 202. As shown in FIG. 2, the elongatebody 202 can be disposed within a urinary tract of a patient such thatthe proximal retention member 210 is disposed within a bladder B, andthe distal retention member 212 is disposed within a kidney K.

In this embodiment, the opening 208 and lumen 218 extend between aproximal end and a distal end along the entire length of the elongatebody 202 including the retention members 210, 212, as shown in FIG. 2.Thus, a cross-section of the proximal retention member 210 and thedistal retention member 212 is substantially the same as a cross-sectionof a middle portion 220 of the elongate body 202. As shown in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 3, a width W of the opening 208 is greaterthan a radius R of the lumen 218, but less than a diameter D of thelumen 218. The width of the opening and the diameter of the lumen can besized such that a guidewire 216, can be received through the opening anddisposed within the lumen of the stent. For example, in someembodiments, a diameter of the lumen 218, can be, 0.037 inches (0.940mm) and the width of the opening 208 can be, for example, 0.034 inches(0.863 mm). Such a stent can be used with a guidewire 216 having anouter diameter of, for example, 0.035 inches (0.889 mm). In otherembodiments, a diameter of the lumen 218 can be, for example, 0.027inches (0.685 mm) for use with a guidewire 216 having an outer diameter,for example, of 0.025 inches (0.635 mm); or a diameter of the lumen 218can be, for example, 0.040 inches (1.0 mm) for use with a guidewirehaving an outer diameter of, for example, 0.038 inches (0.9652 mm). Asstated previously, the opening 208 reduces the mass of the stent, andthereby decreases the invasiveness of the stent 200, and increasespatient comfort.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the proximal end portion 204 of thestent 200 shown in a straightened or constrained configuration (i.e.,prior to the retention member 210 being allowed to curl). As shown inFIG. 4, the elongate body 202 defines multiple channels 222 that extendalong an outside surface of the elongate body 202. The channels 222 canhave a variety of shapes and sizes, and can extend the entire length ofthe stent or only along a portion of the stent. In this embodiment, thechannels 222 extend the entire length of the stent including through theretention members 210 and 212. The channels 222 further reduce the massof the stent 200 and increase the flow of fluid therethrough.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the elongate body 202 has a cross-sectionalprofile that includes a first end portion 224 and a second end portion226 bounding the opening 208, and a middle portion 228. In thisembodiment, the channels 222 are disposed between the first end portion224 and the middle portion 228, and the second end portion 226 and themiddle portion 228. The middle portion 228 provides a strengthening beamalong the length of the elongate body 202. The first end portion 224 andthe second end portion 226 have a wall thickness greater than a wallthickness of the middle portion 228 and each define a lip portion 230that can be used to releasably couple a guidewire to the elongate body202 as described in more detail below. As shown in the cross-sectionalprofile of FIG. 3, the elongate body 202 has a height hp and a widthw_(p). In some embodiments, the height hp and the width w_(p) can be,for example, 0.040 in (1.016 mm) and 0.075 in (1.905 mm), respectively.

As stated previously, the stent 200 can be laterally loaded onto aguidewire 216 for insertion into a body lumen. For example, a guidewire216 can be placed within a body lumen of a patient and then the stent200 can be placed on the guidewire 216 by laterally passing theguidewire 216 through the opening 208 of the stent 200. FIG. 5 is across-sectional view illustrating the lateral insertion of the guidewire216 through the opening 208 of the stent 200. The stent 200 is flexibleor bendable such that the end portions 224 and 226 that bound theopening 208 can flex to permit the lateral insertion of the guidewire216 into the lumen 218. Once inserted and disposed within the lumen 218,the width W of the opening 208 will return substantially to its originalsize as shown in FIG. 6. The lip portions 230 of the end portions 224and 226 retain the guidewire within the lumen 218.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a medical device according to another embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 7 is a side view of a stent 300 that includes anelongate body 302 having a proximal retention member 310 at a proximalend portion 304, and a distal end portion 306. The elongate body 302also defines a lumen 318 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) between a proximal end360 and a distal end 362 of the elongate body. The elongate body 302also defines an opening 308 in communication with the lumen that extendsalong a portion of a length of the elongate body 302. The opening 308has a length greater than twice its width. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectionalview taken along line 8-8, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view takenalong line 9-9, each illustrating the different cross-sectional profilesof the respective portions of the elongate body 302. As with theprevious embodiment, the opening 308 helps reduce the overall mass ofthe stent 300.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a stent 400 including an elongate body 402that defines multiple openings 408 in communication with a lumen 418.The openings 408 are defined at spaced locations along the elongate body402. Each of the openings 408 has a width greater than the radius of thelumen 418, but less than the diameter of the lumen 418. The openings 408also have a length at least twice its width. The openings 408 reduce themass of the stent 400, and the portions of the elongate body 402 betweenthe openings 408 provide strength to the stent 400.

FIGS. 11-13 are cross-sectional views of embodiments of a medical deviceor stent according to various embodiments of the invention. In each ofthese embodiments, the stent described can be used in the same manner asdescribed above for previous embodiments. In addition, the features andcharacteristics of an opening and a lumen defined by an elongate bodycan be the same as previously described. FIG. 11 illustrates a stent 500having an elongate body 502 that defines a lumen 518 and an opening 508.This embodiment illustrates an elongate body that does not definechannels on an exterior surface thereof. The elongate body 502 has afirst end portion 524 and a second end portion 526 that bound theopening 508, and a middle portion 528. The first end portion 524 and thesecond end portion 526 each have a lip portion 530 to releasably couplea guidewire (not shown in FIG. 11) to the elongate body 502 as describedabove.

A stent 600 illustrated in FIG. 12, includes an elongate body 602 thatdefines a lumen 618, and an opening 608. In this embodiment, theelongate body 602 defines a channel 622 disposed between a first endportion 624 and a middle portion 628, and another channel 622 disposedbetween the second end portion 626 and the middle portion 628. Inanother embodiment, shown in FIG. 13, a stent 700 includes an elongatebody 702 that defines a lumen 718 that has a rectangular cross-section.The elongate body 702 also defines multiple channels 722 disposedbetween a first end portion 724 and a middle portion 728, and a secondend portion 726 and the middle portion 728. The middle portions 628, 728of FIGS. 12 and 13 provide a strengthening beam along the length of therespective elongate body 602, 702. The first end portion 524, 624, 724and the second end portion 526, 626, 726 each have a wall thicknessgreater than a wall thickness of the middle portion 528, 628, 728 andeach define a lip portion 530, 630, 730 that can be used to releasablycouple a guidewire (not shown in FIGS. 11-13) to the elongate body 502,602, 702 as described above.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a medical device according to anotherembodiment of the invention. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a pusher814 that includes an elongate body 844 having a proximal end portion 838and a distal end portion (not shown in FIG. 14). The elongate body 844defines a lumen 834 and an opening 832 in communication with the lumen834 between a proximal end and a distal end of the pusher 814. As withthe stents described above, the opening 832 has a width greater than aradius of the lumen 834, and less than a diameter of the lumen 834. Afirst end portion and a second end portion each define a lip portion 836used to releasably couple a guidewire (not shown in FIG. 14) to theelongate body 844.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 15, a pusher 914 includes anelongate body 944 that defines a lumen 934 and an opening 932, andincludes a pair of tabs 942 at spaced locations along a length of theelongate body 944. The tabs 942 can be used to couple the pusher 914 toa guidewire. As shown in FIG. 15, the tabs 942 are positioned at theproximal end portion 938, the distal end portion 940, and at a mid-pointof the elongate body 944. In other embodiments, tabs can be disposed atdifferent locations, and a different number of tabs can be included. Asize of the opening 932 defined at the tabs 942 is less than a size ofthe opening 932 throughout the remaining portion of the elongate body944. This configuration provides further reduction in the total mass ofthe pusher 914. Each tab 942 defines a lip portion 936 used toreleasably couple a guidewire (not shown in FIG. 15) to the elongatebody 944. As with the stent 200, the end portions and/or tabs 942 thatbound the openings 832 and 932 of pushers, 814 and 914 have the abilityto flex to permit the lateral insertion of a guidewire. Once inserted,the lip portions 836, 936, retain the guidewire within the pusher 814,914.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of theinvention. A method includes at 1048 transurethrally inserting aguidewire (e.g., 116, 216) into a ureter of a patient. At 1050, theportion of the guidewire disposed outside of the patient is coupled to astent (e.g., 200) by disposing the guidewire laterally through anopening defined by the stent and into a lumen of the stent. For example,the opening can extend along the length of the stent and be incommunication with the lumen. At 1052, the stent can be slidably movedalong the guidewire to a position where at least a portion of the stentis within the ureter of the patient using, for example, a pusher (e.g.,814, 914). In some embodiments, a pusher is also coupled to theguidewire by disposing the guidewire laterally through an openingdefined by the pusher. The stent can include retention members (e.g.,210, 212) that can be disposed within the kidney and/or bladder of thepatient to help retain the stent in position.

The stent (e.g., stent 100, 200, etc.) and pusher (e.g., 814, 914) maybe formed from a number of various biocompatible materials used inmedical devices. The stent and/or pusher may include one material or maybe formed, for example by extrusion, of two or more materials along itslength. For example, in one embodiment, a distal end portion of theelongate body can be formed from a first material and the proximal endportion can be formed from a different second material. Accordingly, theproximal end portion may be made of a softer material than that of thedistal end portion, and vice versa. Likewise, the retention members(e.g., 110, 112) can be formed with the same or different material thaneach other and/or the elongate body.

The elongate body and the retention member can be formed from anymaterial or materials known in the art to be used in constructingureteral stents. One subset of biocompatible materials best suited forthe elongate body exhibit at least some of the followingcharacteristics: high tensile strength, high retention coil strength,excellent biocompatibility and biodurability, excellent radiopacity orfluoroscopic visibility, availability in varying durometers, and a lowresistance to passage. For example, in one embodiment, the elongate bodyis formed with a polymeric material.

In some embodiments, a kit can be provided that includes one or moreureteral stent and one or more pusher device as described herein. Forexample, a kit can include a ureteral stent, such as stent 200, and apusher, such as pusher 814 or 914. As described above, the stent candefine a lumen and an opening in communication with the lumen along atleast a portion of a length of the stent. In some embodiments, the stentis configured to laterally receive a guidewire through the opening.Likewise, the pusher can be configured to laterally receive a guidewirethrough an opening along a length of the pusher. In some embodiments, akit can also include one or more guidewires used for insertion of thestent into a ureter.

CONCLUSION

While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, itshould be understood that they have been presented by way of exampleonly, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the inventionshould not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents. While the invention has been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood that various changes in form and details may be made.

The previous description of the embodiments is provided to enable anyperson skilled in the art to make or use the invention. While theinvention has been particularly shown and described with reference toembodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in art thatvarious changes in form and details may be made. For example, a stentand/or pusher device can include various combinations andsub-combinations of the various embodiments described herein. Inaddition, a stent can include one or more of the features described withreference to a pusher device, and vice versa. For example, a stent caninclude tabs as described in the embodiment of a pusher.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ureteral stent, comprising: an elongate bodyhaving a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen and anopening in communication with the lumen, the opening extending an entirelength of the elongate body from the proximal end of the elongate bodyto the distal end of the elongate body, the elongate body having aninner surface and an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface,the inner surface defining the lumen, the elongate body defining atleast one groove on the outer surface of the elongate body, the lumenhaving a diameter, the opening having a width greater than ½ the size ofthe diameter of the lumen and less than the diameter of the lumen, theopening having a length at least twice the width of the opening, whereinthe elongate body has a cross-sectional profile including a first endportion, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the firstend portion and the second end portion, inner surfaces of the first endportion and the second end portion defining the opening, the first andsecond end portions being enlarged portions each having a thicknessgreater than the middle portion.
 2. The ureteral stent of claim 1,further comprising: a retention member disposed at least one of theproximal end or the distal end of the elongate body, the retentionmember configured to help anchor the elongate body within a ureter. 3.The ureteral stent of claim 1, further comprising: a first retentionmember at the proximal end of the elongate body and a second retentionmember at the distal end of the elongate body, the first retentionmember configured to be disposed within a bladder, the second retentionmember configured to be disposed within a kidney.
 4. The ureteral stentof claim 1, the at least one groove includes a first groove and a secondgroove, the first groove being disposed on the outer surface of theelongate body between the first end portion and the middle portion, thesecond groove being disposed on the outer surface of the elongated bodybetween the second end portion and the middle portion.
 5. The ureteralstent of claim 1, wherein the opening is configured to laterally receivea guidewire therethrough, the elongate body being configured toreleasably couple the guidewire within the lumen of the elongate bodysuch that the elongate body can be slidably moved along the guidewire.6. A ureteral stent, comprising: an elongate body having a proximal endand a distal end and defining a lumen, and an opening in communicationwith the lumen, the elongate body having an inner surface and an outersurface disposed opposite the inner surface, the inner surface definingthe lumen, the elongate body defining a groove on the outer surface ofthe elongate body, the elongate body having a cross-sectional profileincluding a first end portion and a second end portion each bounding theopening, and a middle portion between the first end portion and thesecond end portion, the first end portion and the second end portionbeing enlarged portions each having a wall thickness greater than a wallthickness of the middle portion of the elongate body, the proximal endincluding a curved retention portion, the distal end including a curvedretention portion, the opening extending from the proximal end of theelongate body to the distal end of the elongate body, the openingconfigured to laterally receive a guidewire therethrough, the elongatebody being configured to releasably couple the guidewire within thelumen of the elongate body such that the elongate body can be slidablymoved along the guidewire.
 7. The ureteral stent of claim 6, wherein thegroove including a plurality of first grooves and a plurality of secondgrooves, the plurality of first grooves being disposed on the outersurface of the elongate body between the first end portion and themiddle portion, the plurality of second grooves being disposed on theouter surface of the elongate body between the second end portion andthe middle portion.
 8. The ureteral stent of claim 7, wherein theplurality of first grooves are equally spaced apart, and the pluralityof second grooves are equally spaced apart.
 9. The ureteral stent ofclaim 6, wherein the lumen has a diameter, the opening has a widthgreater than ½ the size of the diameter of the lumen and less than thediameter of the lumen.
 10. A ureteral stent, comprising: an elongatebody having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen, theelongate body having an inner surface and an outer surface disposedopposite the inner surface, the elongate body defining at least onegroove on the outer surface of the elongate body, the at least onegroove extending along an entire length of the elongate body, theelongate body having a substantially u-shaped cross-sectional profilehaving a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portionbetween the first end portion and the second end portion, the elongatebody having an interior perimeter bounding the lumen, the first endportion and the second end portion each bounding an opening incommunication with the lumen, the opening extending along the entirelength of the elongate body, the opening configured to laterally receivea guidewire therethrough, the opening having a width greater than ½ thesize of a diameter of the lumen and less than the diameter of the lumen,the first end portion and the second end portion being enlarged portionseach having a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of the middleportion of the elongate body.
 11. The ureteral stent of claim 10,further comprising: a retention member disposed on at least one of theproximal end or the distal end of the elongate body configured to helpretain the elongate body within a ureter.
 12. The ureteral stent ofclaim 10, wherein the opening extends from the proximal end to thedistal end of the elongate body.
 13. The ureteral stent of claim 10,wherein the opening is configured to laterally receive a guidewiretherethrough, the elongate body being configured to releasably couplethe guidewire within the lumen of the elongate body such that theelongate body can be slidably moved along the guidewire.
 14. A ureteralstent, comprising: an elongate body having, a proximal end and a distalend and defining a lumen, and an opening in communication with thelumen, the lumen having a diameter, the elongate body having an innersurface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the outersurface of the elongate body defining a channel, the elongate body has across-sectional profile having a first end portion and a second endportion each bounding the opening, and a middle portion, at least aportion of the elongate body having an overall width measured along thecross-sectional profile from an outer edge of the first end portion toan outer edge of the second end portion, and an overall height measuredalong the cross-sectional profile in a direction perpendicular to theoverall width, the overall width being greater than the height.
 15. Theureteral stent of claim 14, wherein the elongate body defines aplurality of channels on the outer surface of the elongate body.
 16. Theureteral stent of claim 14, further comprising: a retention memberdisposed on at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of theelongate body configured to help retain the elongate body within aureter.
 17. The ureteral stent of claim 14, wherein the opening isconfigured to laterally receive a guidewire therethrough, the elongatebody being configured to releasably couple the guidewire within thelumen of the elongate body such that the elongate body can be slidablymoved along the guidewire.
 18. The ureteral stent of claim 14, whereinthe elongate body has a cross sectional profile having a first endportion and a second end portion each bounding the opening, and a middleportion, the first end portion and the second end portion each having awall thickness greater than a wall thickness of the middle portion ofthe elongate body.
 19. A kit, comprising: a ureteral stent defining alumen and an opening in communication with the lumen, the openingextending along an entire length of the ureteral stent from a proximalend to a distal end of the ureteral stent and being configured tolaterally receive a guidewire therethrough, the ureteral stent having across-sectional profile including a first end portion, a second endportion, and a middle portion between the first end portion and thesecond end portion, inner surfaces of the first end portion and thesecond end portion defining the opening of the ureteral stent, the firstand second end portions being enlarged portions each having a thicknessgreater than the middle portion; and a pusher device, the pusher devicedefining a lumen and an opening in communication with the lumen of thepusher device, the og pusher device extending from a proximal end to adistal end of the pusher device and being configured to laterallyreceive a guidewire therethrough.
 20. The kit of claim 19, wherein thedistal end of the pusher is configured to engage the proximal end of theureteral stent and used to insert the ureteral stent into a uretertransurethrally.
 21. A method, comprising: inserting a guidewiretransurethrally into a ureter of a patient; coupling a ureteral stent toa portion of the guidewire disposed outside of the patient by disposingthe guidewire in a first direction through an opening defined by theureteral stent and into a lumen defined by the ureteral stent, theopening defined by the ureteral stent extending along an entire lengthof the ureteral stent from a proximal end portion of the ureteral stentto a distal end portion of the ureteral stent, the ureteral stent havinga cross-sectional profile including a first end portion, a second endportion, and a middle portion between the first end portion and thesecond end portion, inner surfaces of the first end portion and thesecond end portion defining the opening of the ureteral stent, the firstand second end portions being enlarged portions each having a thicknessgreater than the middle portion; and slidably moving the ureteral stentin a second direction along the guidewire to position at least a portionof the ureteral stent within the ureter of the patient, the seconddirection being substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 22.The ureteral stent of claim 6, further comprising: a retention memberdisposed on the proximal end of the elongate body configured to helpretain the elongate body within a ureter, the opening extending withinthe retention member.
 23. The ureteral stent of claim 14, wherein thediameter of the lumen is at least 92% of the outer width of the at leasta portion of the elongate body.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein thecoupling the ureteral stent includes coupling the ureteral stent to aportion of the guidewire at a spaced distance from an end of theguidewire.
 25. The ureteral stent of claim 1, wherein the elongate bodyincludes a side wall, the side wall being devoid of a passagewayextending through the side wall.
 26. The ureteral stent of claim 6,wherein the elongate body includes a side wall, the side wall beingdevoid of a passageway extending through the side wall.
 27. The ureteralstent of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the elongate body includesa curved retention member and the distal end of the elongate bodyincludes a curved retention member.
 28. The ureteral stent of claim 1,wherein the at least one groove extends along the entire length of theelongate body from the proximal end of the elongate body to the distalend of the elongate body.